Improvement in bathing apparatus



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RODMAN S. GEE, OF RACINE, VVISGONSIN.

IMPROVE'MENT IN BATHING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,602, dated September 1, 1874; application-tiled January 31, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, R. STODDARD GEE, of Racine, in the county of lRacine and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Bathing Apparatus; and IA do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure l of the drawings is a representation of a perspective view ot' my bathing apparatus. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, and Fig. 3 a transverse sectional, view of the same. Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7 are detail views of the same.

This invention has relation to bathing apparatus in which persons: can be subjected to heated air or to medicated vapors. My object is to combine in a portable and compact apparatus many, if not all, of the conveniences and facilities which are aiorded by the Turkish 7 bathing establishments, whereby persons of ordinary means can, at a comparatively small expense, obtain all the advantages which are to be derived from a TurkishV bath.

The following is a description of my improvements:

In the annexed drawings, A designates the body of the apparatus, which is preferably a rectangular box of wood or other material. The upper half of this box or bath-chest is composed of two hinged sides, ct a, two hinged ends, b b, and a cover, which is composed of two pieces, c c', that are hinged to the end pieces b b. By thus constructing the upper portion of the box A the parts composing the same can be thrown back for allowing a person to conveniently get into the lower portion of this box, after which the hinged portions can be adjusted into their proper places, so as to inclose the person preparatory to his taking a bath; and by adjusting one of the hinged sides a in a horizontal position over the lower portion of the box, such side will afford a very good table on which to perform the operation of shampooing. B designates a shelf or shampooing-table, which is hinged to one side of the lower portion of the box A, and sustained in a horizontal position by means of a hinged prop, a bracket, or some other equivalent device. If desired, this shelf B may be made of two or more sections.

During the shampooing process, I employ a water-proof cloth, O, whichais spread upon either one of the tables above named. This cloth will have rollers e attached to its edges, which will elevate these edges and prevent the slop-water from passing over them. There will also be applied to the cloth C a drip-pipe, e', for carrying oi' the water. On the bottom of the box A is applied a lamp, D, of rectangular form, to which a number of burners are attached, over which burners guards E E are arranged. These guards are curved sheetmetal plates, which are secured to rods f, that have crank-handles on their ends, by whichv the guards can be adjusted for regulating the temperature in the box A, and extinguishing the lights.

Suitable means will be provided for keeping the rectangular body ot the lamp properly supplied with oil.

Instead of using a lamp, as described, the interior of the box may be surrounded by gastubing provided with a suitable number of burners.

When a person is confined inside of the box A the head of such person will be exposed through a hole, g, surrounding which is a flexible cape, g',- Which is tightly secured around the neck for preventing an undue escape of heat.

If it is .desired to subject the entire person to the heated air or medicated vapor, a coneshaped covering, F, which is stiti'ened by a light frame, F', is applied over the head of the person and over an opening, h, which is made through the top of the box near the cape g, and provided with a cover, h. (Shown in Fig. l.) The head and face of the person, as well as other parts of the b ody, will be subjected to the heat or vapor. the person will be provided with a mouth-tube, h2, leading through the cone-cover F, for allowing him to breathe cool air. G designates a hole, provided with a cover, i, and intended for admitting the arm of an attendant for rubbing and examining the bather during the heating or the steaming process. Alongside of this armhole G an opening is made through the box for exposing to view the thermometer During this treatment H, by means of which the temperature of the air inside of the box is ascertained Without opening the hinged sections. J designates a seat for the bather, which maybe horizontally and vertically adjustable, and K represents a vessel for bathing the feet. I also apply in any suitable manner inside of the box A a vessel for containing hot water, and also another vessel for containing any desired medicament. These vessels may all be supplied with water from the outside of the box.

When the table B is used for shampooing, I employ two vessels, L L', one for containing hot water, and the other cold water. These vessels are mounted on top of the box A, and they have pipes leading from them to a single cock, l, through which either hot or cold water can be drawn at pleasure. The water in vessel L' may be heated by a gas-Haine, or by the flame of a lluid-lamp. n

If desired, openings may be made through one or more sides of the box A, and provided with a regulating slide, or its equivalent, whereby cool air can be admitted into the box for modifying the temperature therein.

What I claim as new is- 1. The combined bathing-box A and shamhereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

RODMAN STODDARD GEE. Witn esses:

GEORGE E. UPHAM, ROBERT EVERETT. 

